Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Park Rapids Enterprise Entry Title: WWII hero comes home Entry Credit: Robin Fish Judge Comment: All the elements of an outstanding story: Good lead, in-depth details, effective use of quotes, how community and family reacted nearly 80 years later. Excellent reporting.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Owatonna People's Press Entry Title: 2. Blooming Prairie man watched as protest turned to riot at Capitol Entry Credit: Annie Granlund Judge Comment: Answers the question may readers have asked...what compelled those people in the nation's capitol Jan. 6? One man's story of life-changing moment and his disappointment, even losing his job. Story flows from the lead to the end with tough questions asked. Thanks for an unbiased report
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Owatonna People's Press Entry Title: Family of Owatonna sailor battles unanswered questions, moving forward Entry Credit: Annie Granlund Judge Comment: Emotional story well told. Writer does a good job of taking reader to that moment family found out their son had died and parlays the tale with grief shared by relatives. Can tell the writer spent time with family to get all the details.
Competition Comment: So many other entries worthy of recognition. Tough category to judge. Human interest stories remain relevant, typically are exclusive and show originality from newspaper staff. Keep up the good work.
